Innovative approaches to funding scientific research

On June 3, 2025, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (S&T) organized a workshop on "Improving the quality of developing application research proposal documents". The workshop aims to support scientists and research organizations to access more effectively the funding mechanism that is being innovated towards professionalism, flexibility and approaching international practices.

Overview of the Workshop.

Towards professional, modern and effective research funding

Speaking at the opening of the Workshop, Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of the Executive Agency of the National Science and Technology Development Fund, said that the Fund is currently implementing two forms of funding simultaneously: According to the KC and KX programs and according to the types of basic, applied, potential and extraordinary research.

Notably, the KC and KX programs will be restructured in a streamlined and flexible manner, in line with the development trends of science and technology and international practices. In parallel, the Fund is implementing two main funding calls: Basic research and applied research. In particular, the focus of the current phase is to promote funding for applied research topics, focusing on solving practical problems, creating clear impacts on production, life, business and national defense - security.

Regarding the construction of explanations, Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien noted that the construction of explanations must ensure all three criteria: Novelty, feasibility and applicability. However, many explanations today still reveal many limitations, scattered content, lack of focus, unclear objectives and do not highlight the ability to apply and commercialize.

Following the direction of the Ministry of Science and Technology , the Fund will continue to develop according to the model of a professional funding organization, approaching international standards, independent, competitive and transparent, contributing to improving the quality of research.

In the coming time, the Fund will continue to closely coordinate with management agencies, research institutes, and universities to improve the effectiveness of funding activities, enhance the applicability and practical impact of research results; at the same time, focus on reviewing the process and providing guidance on building explanations to support project leaders from the idea stage to implementation and commercialization.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of the National Science and Technology Development Fund Executive Agency, delivered the opening speech at the Workshop.

Regarding the new points in the management of applied research topics funded by the Fund, Deputy Director of the National Fund for Science and Technology Development Nguyen Phu Binh said that Circular No. 15/2016/TT-BKHCN (amended and supplemented in Circular 10/2024/TT-BKHCN) has focused on simplifying administrative procedures, increasing flexibility and accepting risks in research. Specifically, the project implementation period is 36 months, the assessment will be carried out through the Science and Technology Council and independent consultants, the application is submitted completely online (eliminating direct defense); additional expenses such as attending international conferences, prioritizing funding according to the risk acceptance fund mechanism, and allocating raw materials. In particular, income from salaries and wages from performing science and technology tasks using the state budget will not be subject to personal income tax, and the management and ownership of research results will also be clarified.

Notably, the Fund will simplify and promote online application submission via the OMS system; the organization hosting and leading the project must ensure academic integrity; project results reports must self-assess the level of success and describe the social impact of the project... These changes aim to create a more favorable environment, promoting applied research that brings practical value to society.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh, Deputy Director of the National Science and Technology Development Fund Executive Agency reported at the Workshop.

No funding cap, expanding funding scale

From a scientist's perspective, Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Key Laboratory of Refining and Petrochemical Technology, emphasized that applied research plays a key role in bridging basic research and technological innovation, especially suitable for research groups that have close connections with practice. Therefore, when building a funding proposal, it is necessary to carefully consider the goals, roadmap and output products; anticipate risks to arrange technical and financial solutions to respond. Most importantly, it is necessary to build a research group with complementary capabilities - from R&D to implementation techniques, from analysis/measurement to economic efficiency assessment to turn ideas into practical results. Only then will an applied research topic not only be eligible for funding, but also have the ability to be successfully implemented and continue to develop after the topic is completed.

Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Key Laboratory of Refining and Petrochemical Technology, reported at the Workshop.

Sharing some new points in budgeting for applied research topics, Ms. Do Thi Hong Van, Finance - Accounting Department of the National Fund for Science and Technology Development, recommended that units preparing dossiers must strictly comply with the provisions of Circular 03/2023/TT-BTC; Circular 02/2023/TT-BKHCN and Circular 27/2015/TTLT-BKHCN-BTC. In particular, it is necessary to ensure all 10 input factors in budgeting, applying the appropriate spending mechanism for each funding source. At the same time, instructions are given for building: budget estimates for budgeted spending sources; budget estimates for non-budgeted sources; budget estimates for non-budgetary sources.

Ms. Do Thi Hong Van, Finance - Accounting Department, National Science and Technology Development Fund reported at the Workshop.

At the workshop, delegates focused on sharing and discussing difficulties and problems in the process of building and implementing the topic; at the same time, discussing and providing specific instructions on the structure, content, and criteria to note in the explanation, helping to improve the capacity and quality of building application research project proposals, increasing the rate of funding from the Fund; thereby, contributing to improving the effectiveness of science and technology research in the country.

Concluding the workshop, Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien emphasized that in order to create the most favorable conditions for scientists , the Fund will not set a ceiling on funding for applied research tasks. Instead, organizations and individuals are allowed to proactively build appropriate funding levels, ensuring compatibility between goals, content, products and proposed estimates. Furthermore, due to the high stability of applied research products, the Fund will not provide an average funding level, but approval will be based on the quality of the dossier and specific assessment of each case. Along with expanding the scale of funding, the Fund is also restructuring the Scientific Council system towards in-depth, multi-disciplinary direction.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien affirmed that the Fund will absorb all comments, continue to improve the legal document system, upgrade the funding mechanism and closely accompany the research community to meet the increasing quantity and quality of applied research proposals in the coming time, aiming to increase the efficiency of public investment and promote innovation to serve socio-economic development.

The Presidium conducts the discussion.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/tao-dot-pha-trong-tai-tro-nghien-cuu-ung-dung-nang-cao-chat-luong-xay-dung-ho-so-de-xuat-197250603165301247.htm